A new find

I just found this blog (Pedagogy Unbound), and it's full of gems. Here's a list of the tips I've learned so far from reading just the most recent posts (as of Oct. 2014):

1. Rubrics can be helpful, but mainly for forcing instructors to clarify their goals for an assignment. Vague language on a rubric doesn't help students.
2. Of course the students haven't done the reading before class. Again. That's because they prioritize their duties (just like the rest of us) and can cleverly discern which readings are really required, and which are actually optional (hint: something bad happens to them if they don't read the required ones). But quizzes can be punitive devices to force students to read. Better is to structure class time so that doing the reading is actually helpful (to them) in class. You could also ask the students what they want you to cover about a reading -- what an idea, put the onus on them by asking for their preferences!
3. Teach the last day of class on the first day of class. Sounds odd, but I think it could really work.

Lots more there, and I plan on mining it. The author is David Gooblar (@dgooblar) and the blog is part of the Chronicle of Higher Education website. Actually, the blog is on the Chronicle's Vitae website. I just created an account there. It looks to be a LinkedIn for academics. I'll see what that does for me.